Guidepost Montessori·Chicago, Illinois
The Lead Infant Teacher is responsible for creating a nurturing Montessori environment that supports the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of infants. They will observe children, maintain an orderly classroom, and partner with families to foster independence and confidence.
Shape a child’s very first learning experiences.
At Guidepost Montessori, our Lead Infant Guides create calm, nurturing environments where infants are respected as capable individuals from the very beginning.
If you’re passionate about early development and want to lead a thoughtfully designed classroom that supports independence, movement, and discovery, we’d love to meet you.
As a Lead Infant Guide, you’ll lead a mixed-age infant classroom (ages 0–3) in a Montessori environment intentionally designed to support each child’s natural development.
In Montessori, the environment and the guide work together to nurture independence, curiosity, and confidence.
You’ll thoughtfully prepare the classroom, observe each child closely, and provide individualized care that honors their unique rhythms and needs.
Most importantly, you’ll help infants develop trust in themselves and the world around them laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
What You’ll Do Observe each child to understand and support their physical, emotional, and cognitive development Respect and follow each child’s natural rhythms for sleeping, eating, and toileting Prepare and maintain a beautiful, orderly environment that fosters trust, movement, and exploration Support independence by encouraging children to participate in care activities Build warm, meaningful relationships with children and families Partner closely with parents to support each child’s growth and development Lead and collaborate with classroom team members to create a strong, respectful community The Montessori Prepared Environment Every Guidepost infant classroom is fully equipped with high-quality Montessori materials and thoughtfully designed to support movement, exploration, and independence.
Our infant environments include: Open floor space for movement and exploration Child-sized furniture and materials Curriculum that supports independence in feeding, dressing, and toileting Scientifically designed materials for fine and gross motor development Natural elements like real plants, cozy rugs, and abundant natural light Beautiful, breakable materials made from wood and metal rather than plastic Opportunities for climbing, crawling, and discovery without restrictive devices What We’re Looking For Interest in pursuing fully sponsored Montessori certification through our Prepared Montessorian Institute, or prior Montessori diploma Experience working with children ages 0–3 in a group care setting Alignment with child-led educational philosophies (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or similar) Required ECE or Child Development credits Bachelor’s degree (Child related field)
Sponsored Montessori diploma training and ongoing professional development Competitive salary: $40,000 - $50,000 depending on experience and education Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off and paid holidays 75% tuition discount for up to two children at any Guidepost school A collaborative community of peers and mentors Clear pathways for career growth and leadership advancement About Guidepost Montessori Guidepost Montessori is a growing network of over 100 schools across the U.S. and Asia, serving children from 3 months to 6 years old in our Nido, Toddler, and Children’s House programs. We believe children are capable and we design environments that empower them to explore, grow, and flourish. Our mission is to transform education by nurturing independence, joy, and lifelong learning. If you’re passionate about early childhood, excited to partner with families, and ready to lead with purpose, we’d love to welcome you to our community. Apply today and help shape the earliest years of learning. Guidepost Global Education and Guidepost Montessori are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We will not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Our leadership is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy. When requested, we are committed to reasonably accommodate employees and applicants with disabilities or special needs that may require an accommodation.
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in a child-related field and possess ECE or child development credits. Experience working with children ages 0-3 in a group setting is required, along with an interest in obtaining Montessori certification.
Market context
In Illinois, Lead Infant Teacher roles are typically competitive because programs look for candidates with early childhood education credentials, hands-on experience with children ages 0-3, and interest in Montessori training. This posting’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review details faster. If you are applying, confirm your degree and ECE or Child Development credits before submitting.